Seminars & Speaking Engagements

This time of year can be very stressful for students and families - but it doesn't have to be! Come and learn about your child’s educational rights in school, including special education services and regulations that insure that your child MUST receive free, appropriate programs which are proven to be effective!

Jennifer Bradley, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices with be presenting on a basic overview of special education law. Attendees are welcome to bring their child's most recent IEP/paperwork for a brief review by an education attorney from McAndrews Law Offices!

FREE Educational Presentation by Jacqueline Lembeck, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices and Hosted by The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties

Is your 2018 New Year’s resolution to have a more organized, successful, and peaceful school year? Fear not. It can be done! Learn how to make some tiny, but significant steps each month. Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to making your resolution a reality!

WHEN: Saturday, December 2nd, 2017

TIME: 10:00am

WHERE: The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties

In a fun and informal presentation, Attorney Jacqueline Lembeck will share some very “do-able” tasks for each month of the year, including summer. By breaking up tasks into smaller components, you won’t feel overwhelmed. This technique is highly effective. In the course of her presentation, Attorney Lembeck will also cover basic special education terms and deadlines. Come with questions and leave with answers, tips, & strategies that will help you to advocate effectively for your child.

This event is free but you must RSVP to Ramona Neidig at 610-849-8076, ext. 325 or rneidig@arcoflehighnorthampton.org. Email preferred. In order for this event to be offered, we must have at least 10 attendees.

FREE WORKSHOP: Estate Planning and Special Needs Trusts for Families with a Child with Special Needs. Presented by Alissa B. Gorman, JD, LL.M., of McAndrews Law in conjunction with Jaden's Voice

This seminar will explain how parents and other family members can establish vehicles to hold inheritance monies for their loved one with special needs. We will discuss Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Specials needs Trusts, and the recently enacted ABLE accounts. Social Security and Medical Assistance benefits will also be covered. -Jaden's Voice

Jaden's Voice is a non-profit organization whose mission is to "Advocate, Educate and Support individuals diagnosed with autism, their families and the professionals who provide service to them with the goal of creating an inclusive world that encourages those affected to reach their full potential while imparting hope."

Special Education Alliance of the Methacton Coordinating Council's Monthly Parent Meeting will Host Michael Connolly, Esq. of McAndrews Law

WHEN: Monday, December 18th

TIME: 7:00 - 9:00pm

WHERE: The Mathacton High School Library

WHO: Michael Connolly, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices will be the guest speaker at the December meeting of the Special Education Alliance of the MCC - a non-profit group that advocates for parents of children with special needs.

TOPIC: Mr. Connolly will be presenting on the basics of Special Education Law and children's educational rights.

FREE IEP CLINIC Presented by McAndrews Law Offices and Hosted by The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties

WHEN: Saturday, November 4, 2017

TIME: 10:00 am - 1:00pm

WHERE: The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties

Please mark your calendars for this great opportunity!
· Now booking free, private 30-minute IEP sessions between 10:00 & 1:00.
· Only 18 appointments will be taken! Early Registration Recommended.
· Parents who have never attended an IEP clinic will receive preference.

The Arc’s Nov. 4th IEP Clinic will allow you time to briefly consult privately with an experienced special education attorney to discuss your child’s IEP, a recent evaluation, or other issues. Attorneys from McAndrews Law Office will facilitate. This event is free, but you must register & select a time slot. Please RSVP to Ramona Neidig at rneidig@arcoflehighnorthampton.org or call her at 610-849-8076, ext. 325. Email registration preferred.

Estate Planning for People with Disabilities

Do you have peace of mind about the future of your loved one with a disability? Will he or she need lifelong care and support? What will that look like? Who will look after your child when you are old, disabled, or die? Who and how will your financial resources be handled? Do you have a will? Do you have a special needs trust or an ABLE account? If not, would you like to know more about financial tools to provide for your family member? Folks, there’s no time like right now to plan for the future!

Alissa Gorman and Elaine Yandrisevits, experienced attorneys with McAndrews Law Office, will discuss essentials of estate planning for children and adults with disabilities. Talking points will include:
· The Function of a Will (names guardian for minor children, names an executor, explains how property is to be distributed after death)

· Special Needs Trusts (there’s more than one kind!), how they work, & how they can be funded

· Duties of a Trustee -Will a family member be equal to the task?

· What on Earth is Meant by a Pooled Trust? Is it right for me?

· ABLE Accounts: How do they differ from trusts?

This presentation is free, but you must RSVP to Ramona Neidig at 610-849-8076, ext. 325 or rneidig@arcoflehighnorthampton.org. Seating limited to 20.

Back-to-School does not have to be a stressful time for families. Come and learn about your child’s educational rights in school, including special education services and regulations that insure that your child MUST receive free, appropriate programs which are proven to be effective!

McAndrews Law Offices will be hosting two free "Back-to-School" presentations on Friday, September 22nd! Heidi Konkler-Goldsmith, Esq., McAndrews Law Offices' Supervisor of the Special Education Department, will be presenting on various educational topics, such as special education and children's educational rights. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak individually with a special education attorney from McAndrews Law Offices regarding their child's circumstances.

We would like to thank MetroPCS for providing 100 backpacks filled with school supplies! All attendees will receive one!

The Ultimate Guide to Probate

National Business Institute - Live Seminar

Your Comprehensive Probate Guide - with an Eye on the Assets

Program Description: Probate practice is becoming an increasingly marketable skill due to the aging population and clients' reliance on competent attorneys and other professionals who can smoothly guide them through the procedures. In this seminar, our esteemed faculty will provide you with not only an understanding of the step-by-step probate process, but also with a hard-won knowledge for managing issues regarding executors, creditor claims, inventory/accounting, beneficiary distributions and closing the estate. Enhance your practice - register today! (Click here for all of the details.)

Date/Time:

Friday, July 21, 2017, From 8:30 AM - 4:40 PM

Location:

Heritage Hotel - Lancaster, 500 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA17601

Elaine Yandrisevits, JD, LL.M. of McAndrews Law will be presenting on Inventory and Satisfying Creditor Claims and Maintaining the Estate and Preparing Assets for Distribution.

WHO: Citizens Who S.E.E. and Jacqueline Lembeck, Esq. of McAndrews Law

WHAT: A free, informational night on special education rights

WHERE: Brandywine Center - 744 E.Lincoln Hwy, Coatesville, PA

WHEN: Thursday, June 8th, 2017 from 6:00pm - 8:30pm

Coatesville Citizens Who SEE is a grassroots, community volunteer advocacy group this is designed to provide free educational advocacy for families residing in the Coatesville Area School District. We focus on supporting students with special education, ESL and mental health needs. We work collaboratively with other child serving agencies such as Child Guidance Resource Center. We support students and families with IEP's and 504's and we work to ensure the district is adhering to the documented program

ABLE Accounts: How They Affect Special Needs Benefits

Live Broadcast on May 18, 2017

MyLawCLE has invited Elaine Yandrisevits, JD, LL.M. of McAndrews Law Offices' Estate Planning Department to be the guest speaker at this live CLE broadcast and provide legal updates on the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act

Since being signed into federal law in 2014, the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act has created a new tool for individuals with special needs to have the use and enjoyment of funds while remaining eligible for necessary resource- and income-dependent public benefits. This program will discuss the provisions of the ABLE Act and its effect on eligibility for public benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. The program will also highlight some of the similarities and differences between various state ABLE programs, and compare and contrast ABLE Accounts to Special Needs Trusts.

Lesley Mehalick, JD, LL.M., Supervisor of McAndrews Law Offices' Estates and Trusts Department, will be presenting on Estate planning for families of persons with disabilities overview of special needs trusts and the ABLE Act at The Arc Alliance on May 16th!

Click here to learn more about the presentation, including all of The Arc's "Chat-N-Chew" events!

WHEN: Tuesday, May 16th, 2017

TIME: 7:00 - 8:30pm

WHERE: The Arc Alliance, 3075 Ridge Pike, Eagleville, PA 19403

TOPIC: Estate planning for families of persons with disabilities overview of special needs trusts and the ABLE Act.

Founder and Managing Partner of McAndrews Law Offices, Dennis McAndrews, speaks with The Hollywood Reporter on the case against Bill Cosby. With decades of experience working in both sides of the law, the media has contacted McAndrews for his expert opinion on this high profile case, including his predictions for the next steps of the prosecution and defense.

"Allred is likely correct: The defense will put Constand under extreme scrutiny during the trial, focusing on the nature of Cosby and Constand's relationship and what happened after the night of the alleged assault. "The prosecutor is going to focus on the clarity of [Constand's] description of events and her credible explanations why she did certain things later," says Dennis McAndrews, who once served as a prosecutor in the Philadelphia area and tried such notables as Jerry Sandusky and John du Pont."

ABLE Act Overview

(Achieving a Better Life Experience)

Ms. Yandrisevits is an associate attorney at McAndrews Law Offices in the Estate & Trusts Department.

This presentation is open to previous attendees, as well as to anyone new who would like to know more about this special needs planning tool. Modeled after 529 college savings accounts, ABLE will allow eligible persons to open tax-free savings accounts that will not risk their eligibility for government programs.

Talking Points:

Who is eligible/How do you qualify/What are the requirements?

What are the differences in ABLE accounts & a Special Needs Trusts?

Which is preferable, when, and why?

Is it possible to have both?

Will opening an ABLE account hurt social security or Medicaid services?

How much money can be put into an ABLE account? Can there be more than one account? What else do I need to know before making a decision to open an account?

This event is free and open to the public - but you must register! Please RSVP to Ramona Neidig at 610-849-8076, ext. 325 or rneidig@arcoflehighnorthampton.org. Email registration preferred. When registering, please indicate your county of residence & state whether or not you have attended a previous ABLE Act workshop.

Note: As we went to press with this newsletter, ABLE accounts were not yet underway in PA. The presenter will review ABLE details and will also discuss any new developments since her presentation at The Arc in November. Our conference room was packed for this topic, so please register ASAP!

Live Teleconference with Elaine Yandrisevits of McAndrews Law Offices!

Hosted by

NBI: NATIONAL BUSINESS INSTITUTE

Continuing Legal Education for Professionals

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

ABLE accounts are rapidly becoming an important new savings account option for families raising a child or young adult with a disability. This course will focus on key aspects of the ABLE Act in comparison to the Special Needs Trust (SNTs) to determine which option is best for each of your clients' personal situations. Learn how Medicaid benefits and estate plans are affected and get a glimpse into the legislative future of ABLE accounts and their uses. Register today!

Dyslexia and the IDEA

(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)

Due to the many inquiries that the The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties has received regarding dyslexia, they are pleased to host this upcoming workshop! Dyslexia is a neurobiological difference in the brain that causes reading (decoding), spelling (encoding) and writing (composing) difficulties. It is estimated that twenty percent of the school population has dyslexia to some degree. Yet it is common for students with dyslexia to be identified late. Sometimes they are never identified. This can be a violation of the Child Find mandate that schools have to locate and assess students with suspected disabilities.

Dyslexia is recognized by the IDEA. However, IDEA and its regulations include dyslexia under the broader category of SLD (Specific Learning Disability). Confused? You don’t have to be. Join us as Attorney Jacqueline Lembeck of McAndrews Law Offices addresses some of the controversy and “legalese” surrounding dyslexia.

This workshop is free for parents and professionals, but you must pre-register. A minimum of 10 attendees are needed for the presentation to occur. In case of bad weather, please take note of our snow date. You may RSVP to Ramona Neidig at 610-849-8076, ext. 325 or rneidig@arcoflehighnorthampton.org. Email registration preferred. Parents who register: please indicate if your child currently has a 504 plan or an IEP.

Can’t attend? The following title is well worth purchasing:

Dyslexia Advocate: How to Advocate for a Child with Dyslexia Within the Public EducationSystem by Kelli Sandman-Hurley (Jessica Kingsley Publishers)

February 16th - 19th, 2017: The Learning Disabilities Association of America will be holding it's 54th Annual International Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. This is a perfect time for parents, educators, adults, and professionals to come together to learn from the LD experts and network with one another. Heidi Konkler-Goldsmith, Esq., Michael Connolly, Esq. and Caitlin McAndrews, Esq. - all with McAndrews Law Offices - have been invited to speak at the conference and share their knowledge about learning disabilities, special education and legal rights. Click here to learn more about the conference!

NOVEMBER 16TH, 2016: McAndrews Law Offices’ Estates, Trusts and Wealth Transfer Group is excited to announce our Business Succession Planning Services

Business Succession Planning Services

A frequent issue arising in our estate planning work is the transfer of ownership and control of a business owned by a client. Often, the business is a family business which has been created through the extraordinary hard work and personal sacrifice of an entrepreneur, often together with an entire family. As more and more baby boomers approach retirement age, issues related to business succession have become more acute and time-sensitive. McAndrews Law Offices is privileged to work in these matters of business succession collaboratively with Thomas F. Toscani, Esq., a highly respected colleague with decades of specialized experience in assisting families in navigating these sensitive and challenging matters. Our collective efforts can provide the necessary professional counseling to develop the necessary estate plan and legal structures to provide the best approach possible to transition a business in a manner which will serve the interests of all stakeholders.

Family–controlled businesses today account for 50% of the gross domestic product of the United States, and 35% of Fortune 500 companies are controlled by families. Family companies are responsible for 60% of jobs and nearly 80% of new jobs in the United States. Therefore, the success of these enterprises is critical to our national economy. On a personal level, the transfer of ownership and control of these businesses is essential to family harmony, economic well-being, and stability; as such, proper planning with appropriate professionals is absolutely essential to conduct a successful transition when current owners are approaching retirement or seek new challenges.

Unfortunately, a great many small businesses do not successfully transition to a second generation of owners and managers. The alignment of interests between current owners and successors involves many important factors, such as the balancing of financial returns, creation of a proper management structure which honors the interests of all parties, a dispute resolution process, and a variety of tax issues (income, estate, post-mortem, inheritance, etc.).

A multi-step process is necessary to successfully transition a business enterprise to successor owners and managers. Initially, it is essential that a collective vision with specific goals and objectives for the business and the stakeholders be created. Next, a decision-making process must be established with a proposed governance process for both the succession and the subsequent management of the enterprise; naturally, the succession plan must be in writing and properly communicated to all stakeholders. Third, both managers and owners of the enterprise must be identified, with both active and non—active roles for all current and future stakeholders properly identified. Fourth, tax implications for the owner of the business upon sale or transfer must be identified and properly managed, and must also consider issues related to death or divorce; these considerations should be designed to minimize taxes and avoid delays in the transfer of ownership in every circumstance. A part of this process will often involve the creation of a buy/sell agreement and the purchase of life insurance on key owners or managers. Finally, the process will culminate with the creation and implementation of a specific, final transition plan with the appropriate legal entities revised or updated (Corporation, LLC, partnership, etc.).

If you would like to discuss succession planning issues, our Estates and Trusts Department, in conjunction with Thomas F. Toscani, Esq., would welcome the opportunity to work with you to provide the best opportunity for a successful transition for the benefit of you and your family. Please call our office at 610-648-9300.

On Thursday, November 17th, 2016, Michael Gehring, Esq. and Lynne Spangler, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices, P.C. will be presenting to the Chester County Down Syndrome Interest Group (CCDSIG) at The Arc of Chester County. Michael will present first on “Special Education: Planning for Transitions” followed by Lynne’s presentation on “Thinking Ahead to Special Needs Estate Planning.” Michael and Lynne look forward to bringing their expertise in special education and estate planning for persons with disabilities and are honored to be invited to speak to this profound group. For more information on Chester County Down Syndrome Interest Group, click here. For more information on The Arc of Chester County, click here.

Special Education: Planning for Transitions

and

Thinking Ahead to Special Needs Estate Planning

Thursday • November 17th • 2016 • 7:00PM

at The Arc of Chester County

About the Speakers

On Monday, November 7th, 2017, Tanya Alvarado, Esq. was a special guest on Main Line Connect- a local cable show on Radnor TV 21 that focuses on local business owners and entrepreneurs, as well as provides information about local networking events. Jennifer Lynn Robinson, Esquire is both the host of the show and the CEO of Purposeful Networking where she works with businesses to maximize their networking and relationship building skills. Tanya and Jennifer caught up for a half hour about the mission of McAndrews Law Offices and how we communicate this mission through our own marketing and networking tactics. Tanya stressed how McAndrews Law Offices provides several free presentations and programs each year with an effort to educate parents, advocates, and the general public on children's educational rights. Stay tuned for the full episode! For more information on Purposeful Marketing, visit www.purposefulnetworking.com.

NBI: NATIONAL BUSINESS INSTITUTE - Continuing Legal Education for Professionals will host a two day live seminar titled "Estate Planning and Administration: The Complete Guide." Elaine Yandrisevits, Esq. and Alissa Gorman, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices will both be guest speakers at the event. For more information, click here.

Find Out How Key Estate Planning Tools are Drafted and Implemented!

McAndrews Law Offices presented to various groups this season on the prosecutions of serial child sex offender Jerry Sandusky and multimillionaire murderer John duPont.

Dennis McAndrews, Esq. & Joe McGettigan, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices were recently invited by several organizations, including The Corinthian Yacht Club & Springton Lake Village, to present on the trials of Jerry Sandusky, and John duPont. The audiences had the opportunity to hear from the former prosecutors about the work that went into prosecuting such sensitive & high-profile cases as they explored the trials from the beginnings to ends.

A big thank you to our hosts and everyone who came out to learn about the prosecution’s work in order to bring justice to the victims and their families

Taping of The Prosecution of John du Pont and The Prosecution of Jerry Sandusky

Special Education 101: What Parents Need to Know about their Child’s Educational Rights presented by Michael Connolly, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices, in conjunction with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Central Pennsylvania

Join United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Central Pennsylvania and McAndrews Law Offices, P.C. for a free IEP clinic and presentation on special education law!

For more information on United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Central Pennsylvania, click here!

The saga continues for Bill Cosby as the world awaits his upcoming trial on sexual assault charges. The Las Angeles Times has interviewed Dennis McAndrews throughout all of the pre-trial chaos to gain a better understanding of what is going on, and what we can expect to see for the fate of the famous comedian. Read the full article in The LA Timeshere!

In-Sync and Social, LLC & McAndrews Law Offices, P.C. are teaming up for a FREE informational parent session! Come learn about your child's educational rights, including how to effectively incorporate self-regulation components within an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

In-Sync and Social, LLC isan Occupational Therapy based social skills program. McAndrews Law Offices, P.C. concentrates on special education law. Both groups focus their efforts on advocating and serving the needs of children and adults with disabilities.

SPELL: Supporting Parents of Exceptional Learners for Life is a support group for parents of special education students in Reading and throughout Berks County. SPELL is operated under the guidance of local advocates Michele Ford and Elizabeth Hemmings. SPELL was created to help parents gain information, resources and support while assisting them in their journey of parenting exceptional children. For more information about SPELL, visit www.berkscountyspell.org!

Mark Your Calendars!

2016-2017 School Year Meeting Dates

Michael E. Gehring, Esquire will be presenting on at The Arc of Chester County's November 30th Chat-n-Chew Workshop! Michael is an associate with McAndrews Law Offices, P.C., He concentrates his practice on Special Education litigation and related civil matters in both state and federal courts. Michael has an extensive background in litigation, with over twenty years of experience in the public and private sectors. He has worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Post-Conviction Relief Act Unit of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office’s, where he developed extensive courtroom experience. Click here to continue reading bio.

Fall Chat-n-Chew Series

The Arc of Chester County is looking forward to their new Chat-n-Chew series with great new topics! These sessions are free, snacks will be provided and all are welcome to join! Bring your lunch and prepare to learn and network!

Don't miss Michael Gehring, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices at the November 30th Session! He will be presenting on

Michael Connolly, Esq. Bio: Mr. Connolly is a shareholder at McAndrews Law Offices, where, with over seventeen years of experience, he represents parents of children with special needs in a variety of education matters at administrative hearings and state and federal court. He has assisted parents in disputes involving their public school related to issues such as eligibility and identification, programming and placement, tuition reimbursement, discipline, bullying, and discrimination. Finish Reading.

Chat-n-Chew:

An Interactive Workshop Series

Designed for Parents & Professionals

The Arc Alliance is excited to offer the community a series of parent workshops and network opportunities. These training’s are FREE. Bring your lunch; learn about a variety of issues impacting individuals with special needs and their family as well as opportunity to network with other parents! Questions? Email Chat-n-Chew@thearcalliance.org

Michael Connolly, Esquire will be presenting on

Michael Gehring, Esq. and Michael Connolly, Esq., both with McAndrews Law Offices, will be presenting on various special education issues, including An Overview of Special Education and Special Education Litigation: The Process and Legal Updates. These FREE trainings are a great way to network and learn more about matters impacting individuals with special needs and their families. Don’t forget to register and bring a lunch! For all Chat-n-Chew sessions, visit thearcalliance.org and arcofchestercounty.org. Questions? Email:

For all Chat-n-Chew sessions at The Arc of Chester County, click here!

This past year, several high-profile cases became the spotlight of American television. Specifically, the Bill Cosby case, the FX series American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson, and the Netflix show Making a Murderer, have all caught the attention of the public. The American Law Journal, produced by Christopher Naughton, Esq., is a TV show that covers issues within various types of law and airs on the Philadelphia CNN-News affiliate WFMZ-TV each week. Because of the heightened interest in these notorious cases, The American Law Journal and TheLegal Intelligencercollaborated to produce programs to help the nation better understand the intricate details involved in prosecuting these trials. Dennis McAndrews, Esq. & Joseph McGettigan, Esq. of McAndrews Law were invited to participate as special guests as part of their production of the true crime episodes.

This month, The American Law Journal was nominated for four 2016 Emmy® Nominations in the Mid-Atlantic Region. McAndrews Law Offices is honored to be a part of one of the nominated episodes and we would like to extend a big congratulations and thank-you to The American Law Journal for having us be a part of such a captivating show! The Emmy® winners will be announced on September 24th in Philadelphia, PA at a gala awards ceremony - stay tuned!

On Monday, August 15th, 2016, former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane was found guilty on all 9 counts of felony perjury and obstruction charges. Throughout the entire trial, Joseph McGettigan of McAndrews Law was there with 6abc commentating on everything from jury selection to the verdict. Action News reporter John Rawlins interviewed McGettigan daily as he analyzed the proceedings of the day.

Joseph McGettigan, III of McAndrews Law has been invited by Channel 6-ABC to serve as an expert commentator throughout the entire trial of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania Kathleen Kane. Charges include perjury and obstruction of justice. Joe successfully prosecuted multimillionaire murderer John du Pont (with colleague Dennis McAndrews) and serial child sex abuser Jerry Sandusky. His background in prosecuting such sensitive and high-profile cases has made him an excellent choice of analyst for this trial. We invite everyone to look for further commentaries by Joe throughout the ongoing proceedings.

(The ABLE Act - Achieving a Better Life Experience)

FREE Presentation on The ABLE Act

Wednesday, November 16, 2016, 6:00 - 8:30PM

Ms. Yandrisevits as an associate attorney at McAndrews Law offices in the Estate & Trusts department. This presentation is open to previous attendees as well as to anyone new who would like to know more about this special needs planning tool. Modeled after 529 college savings accounts, The ABLE Act will allow eligible persons to open tax-free savings accounts that will not risk their eligibility for government programs.

Although signed into federal law in 2014, ABLE accounts are not yet available in Pennsylvania. However, they’re coming soon. Once the PA ABLE bill passed into law in April, the PA Department of the Treasury began planning for implementation, hopefully within 6 months.

Please join us for an Overview of The ABLE Act. Talking points will include:

Who is eligible/How do you qualify/What are the requirements in The ABLE Act?

What are the differences in ABLE accounts & a Special Needs Trusts?

Which is preferable, when, and why?

Is it possible to have both?

Will opening an ABLE account hurt social security or Medicaid services?

How much money can be put into an ABLE account? Can there be more than one account? What else do I need to know before making a decision to open an account?

This event is free, but you must register. Please RSVP to Ramona Neidig at 610-849-8076, ext. 25 or rneidig@arcoflehighnorthampton.org. Email registration is preferred. Please indicate your county of residence & whether you are a family member or a professional. First consideration given to families. Thank you.

For more information about The Arc of Lehigh & Northampton Counties, click here!

On Tuesday, December 13th, Michael Connolly, Esq., Shareholder at McAndrews Law Offices, P.C., will be the guest speaker for The Arc Alliance's CHAT-N-CHEW: Overview of Special Education Workshop!

CHAT-N-CHEW by The Arc Alliance

An Interactive Workshop Series Designed for Parents & Professionals

The Arc Alliance is excited to offer the community a series of parent workshops and network opportunities. These training’s are FREE. Bring your lunch; learn about a variety of issues impacting individuals with special needs and their family as well as opportunity to network with other parents! Click here to view all upcoming workshops.

Topic:The workshop will focus on an overview of special education laws and regulations, and their practical impact on programming in schools. Topics will include a discussion of child find and evaluation obligations of school districts, IEPs and how to prepare for an IEP meeting, how to respond effectively to an IEP and NOREP, and the mechanisms available to resolve disputes over programming and placement.

Speaker Bio:Mr. Connolly is a shareholder at McAndrews Law Offices,

where, with over seventeen years of experience, he represents parents of children with special needs in a variety of education matters at administrative hearings and state and federal court. He has assisted parents in disputes involving their public school related to issues such as eligibility and identification, programming and placement, tuition reimbursement, discipline, bullying, and discrimination.

He also lectures throughout the state to parents, educators, and attorneys on special education and other education law related topics. Throughout his legal career, Mr. Connolly has been an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Legal Services for Exceptional Children Committee, where he served as Vice Chair from 2002 through 2003 and as Chair from 2003 through 2006. In his roles as Vice Chair and Chair, he played an active part in helping to shape the Bar Association’s position on legal issues impacting students with disabilities as well as planning one of the Commonwealth’s preeminent legal conferences in the area of special education. Mr. Connolly continues to be an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and its Legal Services for Exceptional Children’s Committee.

Mr. Connolly began his career in education law upon graduation from law school as an associate with a District of Columbia law firm representing parents in special education matters. He later became a partner in a law firm located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania where he spent nearly a decade representing school districts throughout state. Most recently, prior to joining McAndrews Law Offices, Mr. Connolly was a founding partner at another education law firm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where he spent seven years representing parents and students in educational matters.

To register for this workshop and/or other workshops, click here! • To see all CHAT-N-CHEW workshops, click here!

Being an Effective School Rights Advocate for Children with Juvenile Arthritis (JA)

Live Webinar • Thursday, September 1st • 7:30 - 9:00PM

School districts are required to provide a range of educational support services to help students with juvenile arthritis (JA) and other childhood rheumatic diseases make meaningful progress. Understanding your child’s rights and the school’s responsibilities will help you be a powerful advocate for your child. Get the facts and advocacy tips from Heidi Konkler-Goldsmith, Esq. a supervising partner with McAndrews Law Offices, a firm that has been providing legal services in special education and disability law for over 30 years.

You’ll learn about:

the laws that protect students with disabilities

the obligations of the school vs what’s at the school’s discretion

504 and IEP plans and what’s best for your child

practical approaches to conflict resolution and mediation

your rights and how to protect your child in matters related to bullying

Providing families of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the Washington, D.C. area, and New Jersey with exceptional legal representation in Estate Planning, Special Education, Abuse of Vulnerable Citizens, and Disability & Elder Law

"Crystal and everyone at McAndrews Law Offices were exceptional! They were understanding of my personal needs. This is especially true since we were trying to attend to P.'s special needs trust. Thank you!"

-C.C.

"A big thank you to Lesley Mehalick and Elaine Yandrisevits! Ms. Yandrisevits came out to visit me, my father and sister at an assisted living home. She was WONDERFUL with my father! She possess the perfect mix of warmth, kindness, and respectfulness. She made things simple and clear for him and he felt really good about the entire experience and the peace of mind it gave him."

-L.G.G.

"I came to McAndrews Law Offices with a friend to meet Anthony Marone for the first time. While my friend has met many lawyers before, he insisted that Mr. Marone was incredibly friendly and great to work with. My friend was right! The first impression I have is very positive and we are so thankful that we got to select your law office to set up a special needs trust for our son. May God hear you in your service to humanity. Thank you!"

-R.P.

"Both Lynne Spangler and Pat Barr were extremely helpful, patient, and efficient. It was a PLEASURE working with them! Thank you to all of McAndrews Law Offices!"

-E.&E.S.

---------------------------------

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month!

"Worldwide, 47 million people are living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. Join the Alzheimer's Association in going purple and raising awareness this June. The more people know about Alzheimer's, the more action we inspire." The Alzheimer's Association.

Visit www.alz.org to learn more about

#GOPURPLE!

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The American College MassMutual Center for Special Needs recently hosted a live webcast titled "The ABLE Act - What's Next?". Lesley Mehalick, JD, LLM, Supervisor of McAndrews Law Offices' Estates, Trusts and Wealth Transfer Group, served as an expert panel member. They addressed the proposed ABLE Act, the next steps for enactment at the state level, and how the Act will work practically for individual families. Click here to access the archived webcast.

20 years ago, Olympic gold medal wrestler David Schultz was killed by multimillionaire John du Pont on his Delaware County estate "Foxcatcher". To preserve the incredible spirit of her late husband, Nancy Schultz teamed up with director Jon Greenhalgh over the past several years to produce a fascinating documentary titled Team Foxcatcher (now on NETFLIX). Premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival, the film received tremendous reviews. It includes home footage/interviews featuring the family, friends, wrestlers from the farm, law enforcement and more. In 1997, John du Pont was found guilty of third degree murder and died in prison in December of 2010. Dennis McAndrews and Joseph McGettigan, both with McAndrews Law and co-prosecutors in trial, are featured in the documentary discussing the complexity of the case. Team Foxcatcher is a riveting and emotional film, serving as an astounding tribute to Dave, "The man with a million best friends."

Dave Schultz's legacy lives on through his son, Xander, and his charitable work to raise money for refugees in Greece. Through his efforts to help those affected by violence abroad, he has created the Zoë Bands. All profits go towards providing refugees with critical resources like food, clothing and medical supplies. Visit www.getazoeband.com to learn more about Zoë Bands and how you can help!

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Dennis McAndrews & Joseph McGettigan provide their expert opinions to the media on the case against Bill Cosby

A Pennsylvania Judge recently ruled that comedian Bill Cosby will go to trial in regard to sexual assault charges. Such high-profile cases often raise complicated questions by the general public. Dennis McAndrews, Esq. and Joseph McGettigan, Esq. have been interviewed by several news outlets interested in their expert opinions on these types of intricate cases. News outlets include The New York Times, The LA Times, The Legal Intelligencer, Associated Press, USA TODAY, CNN, PEOPLE, and NPR. Read more about all of their interviews on

The famous singer-songwriter, Prince, recently passed away in April at the age of 57 in Minnesota. It is believed that the musician died without signing a Will, which leaves many questions as to how his estate will be managed and whether his wishes will be followed. With one full sibling (Tyka Nelson), a handful of half-siblings and now hundreds claiming to be a half-sibling, the absence of a Will makes this type of case even more problematic. Ms. Nelson recently filed an emergency motion, seeking the appointment of a special administrator to oversee the estate. A copy of the petition can be found here. To learn more and read

Special Needs Trusts are typically irrevocable, which means that they cannot be revoked and can only be amended in very limited circumstances, if at all. These trusts are usually in place for the lifetime of the Beneficiary, and over such a long time, various circumstances invariably change. Unfortunately, the irrevocable Trust cannot simply "change" with time, and the trust as originally drafted may not be suited for the beneficiary's changing situation.

There are many situations in which a trust modification might be needed. Most notably, trust modifications are frequently needed in cases where proper special needs planning was not done originally. In those cases, a modification of the trust is crucial in order to become eligible or to maintain eligibility for essential public benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Modifications can be needed for various other reasons as well, such as changing trustee provisions, adding a trust protector, changing the trust terms to make the trust more tax efficient, changing the trust situs, and responding to changes in family circumstances.

Over the last decade, many clients' portfolios have shifted from being "probate heavy" (i.e. with most assets passing under one's Will) to "non-probate heavy" (i.e. with most assets passing outside of one's Will). The reason for this is the accumulation of wealth in retirement plan assets, such as IRAs and 401(k) accounts. These retirement assets do not pass under the terms of one's Will, and therefore are "non-probate"assets. Rather, these assets pass as dictated by the plan participant on his or her beneficiary designation form.

Designating one's beneficiaries can be very simple or can present a series of complex issues. The most simple and straight forward situation is one in which a client has a spouse and one or more adult children, none of whom has special needs or circumstances that might be impeded by being named as a retirement plan beneficiary. In this case, the plan participant likely will name the spouse as the primary beneficiary and the children as secondary beneficiaries, each entitled to an equal share. If the plan participant is the second spouse to die, each adult child will most likely be able to take the annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) based on his or her own life expectancy, thereby taking advantage, to the extent possible, of income tax deferral.

Several months ago, this author examined the importance of beneficiary designations with respect to one's retirement assets. The income tax treatment of annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) can be very different depending on whether one designates an individual or a trust as the primary beneficiary of one's retirement plan.

This article expands on the prior discussion by addressing the situation of leaving one's retirement assets to a Special Needs Trust (SNT) established for the plan participant's disabled child. (For simplicity, this article will use the acronym "IRA" to mean any retirement plan which requires the beneficiary thereof to take annual RMDs).

When a trust, other than a SNT, is named as the beneficiary of an IRA, sound income tax planning would include a recommendation that the non-SNT contains a provision which requires the RMDs to paid outright to the trust's income beneficiary or beneficiaries. This will allow the annual RMD to be taxed at individual income tax rates rather than at the trust's more compressed income tax rates (indeed, trust income of slightly over $11,000.00 is taxed at the highest individual income tax rate).

The rules governing how financial professionals handle the trillions of dollars they invest on behalf of Americans saving for retirement are about to get a lot tougher. The Labor Department, after years of battling Wall Street and the insurance industry, has issued new regulations on Wednesday that will require financial advisers and brokers handling individual retirement and 401(k) accounts to act in the best interests of their clients. The government move is expected to encourage a shift of retirement funds into lower-cost investments - potentially saving billions of dollars for many ordinary investors - while setting off one of the biggest upheavals in the financial services industry in decades. "The marketing material that I see from many firms is, 'We put our customers first,'" Thomas E. Perez, the secretary of labor, said in an interview. "This is no longer a marketing slogan. It's the law".

On Tuesday, May 24th, 2016, exactly two weeks ago, Pennsylvania Judge Elizabeth McHugh ruled that comedian/actor Bill Cosby will go to trial this summer in regard to aggravated sexual assault charges. Such high-profile cases often raise complicated questions and concerns by both parties, including the general public. Dennis McAndrews, Esq., Founder and Managing Partner of McAndrews Law Offices, along with colleague Joseph McGettigan, Esq., have continued to be interviewed by several news outlets looking for their expert opinions on these types of intricate cases. Most recently, Mr. McGettigan spoke with PEOPLE and Mr. McAndrews spoke with USA TODAY - an interview that can also be found on FindLaw. As we await for the trial, stay tuned for more of their skilled predictions regarding this sensitive and complex case.

On Thursday, July 21st, 2016, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI) will host a live webcast titled “SNAPSHOTS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION: An Intermediate level program focusing on four critical areas in special education law”. Michael Connolly, Esq. and Heather Hulse, JD, MS, MA, both shareholders at McAndrews Law Offices, will serve as expert faculty. Mr. Connolly will present on Divorced Parents and the IDEA—from evaluations and IEPs, to field trips and school events and Ms. Hulse will discuss Cyberbullying and students with disabilities: Recent case law and real life case studies.

School Districts are required to provide the full range of special education services for a student to make meaningful progress and which are mandated by law. It is important that families receive accurate and complete information to properly address their children’s educational needs.

Don't miss this free presentation by Heather Hulse, JD, MS, MA of McAndrews Law Offices, in conjunction with Pocono Autism Society, and get all of your questions answered!

The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA) held their annual conference at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel this past weekend (March 9th - 13th, 2016). COPAA’s mission is to protect and enforce the legal and civil rights of students with disabilities and their families, and their primary goal is to secure high quality educational services and to promote excellence in advocacy. Being that COPAA's mission parallels that of McAndrews Law Offices', they invited three of our members to come and speak, including Heidi Konkler-Goldsmith, Esq., Lauren O’Connell Mahler, Esq., and Caitlin McAndrews, Esq. The title of their presentation was From Stalemate to Mediate: Can't we all Just Work it Out? with the focus on mediation. The conference was attended by advocates and lawyers from across the country and was both educational and a great success! For more information about COPAA, visit www.copaa.org.

February 29th, 2015:The Emmy® award winning show The American Law Journal and The Legal Intelligencer recently teamed up for a special program called The People vs. Bill Cosby: The Politics of the Prosecution. The episode explored the trials of OJ Simpson, Steven Avery, and most recently - the case against Bill Cosby. Dennis McAndrews, Esq. and Joseph McGettigan, Esq., both with McAndrews Law Offices, worked side by side on the prosecution team for the 1996-1997 trial of multimillionaire & murderer, John duPont, who shot and killed friend and Olympic Gold Medal Wrestler, David Schultz. Mr. McGettigan was also the lead prosecutor in the trial of serial child sex-abuser, Jerry Sandusky. Being that both Joe and Dennis have extensive background prosecuting high-profile cases, they were interviewed by The Legal Intelligencer and Christopher Naughton, Esq. with The American Law Journal for this special program which aired on Monday evening at 7:00PM on the Philadelphia CNN-News affiliate WFMZ-TV.

Jennifer Bradley, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices with be presenting at this free IEP Clinic in conjunction with The Community Prevention Partnership of Berks County! Come with questions and leave with answers!

February 22nd, 2016: Joseph McGettigan, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices was a guest speaker this week on The American Law Journal. This Emmy Award-winning TV program has aired on the Philadelphia CNN News affiliate since 1990 and was filmed at the WFMZ-TV studios in Allentown, PA. The topic of Monday night's show was Prosecuting Cosby - What the Trial Will Reveal. Executive Producer Christopher Naughton, Esq. held the on-air interview with Joe and three other guests including Lizzy McLellan (reporter with The Legal Intelligencer), John Moganelli (District Attorney of Northampton County) and Steven Fairlie (with Fairlie & Lippy PC). With so many different pieces involved in the case against Bill Cosby, the guest speakers examined the current legal issues and processes that are occurring on a daily basis and helped to clarify several of the difficult questions that many are asking.

We greatly appreciate being invited to speak on The American Law Journal, as well as speak to The Legal Intelligencer, and to have the opportunity to share our expertise on such issues with the public. Stay tuned next week for the full episode!

February 16th, 2016 - Gina Passarella, Senior Staff Reporter with The Legal Intelligencer, interviewed Dennis McAndrews, Esq. and Joe McGettigan, Esq. on several of America's high profile cases and topics. These on-camera interviews featured questions about the Bill Cosby case, the Netflix series Making a Murderer - The Case Against Steven Avery, the FX Series American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson, and Juveniles & Life without Parole - Latest from the U.S. Supreme Court.Stay tuned in March for the live interviews!

February 2016 - Maryclaire Dale, writer for the Associated Press, recently interviewed McAndrews Law member and former high-profile prosecutor, Joe McGettigan, on his thoughts and expertise involving the case against comedian Bill Cosby.

"In this one-day Symposium we feature some of the most popular sessions from our annual Estate Law Institute and Elder Law Institute. Whether you have a general practice or you concentrate in estate law, elder law or both, you’ll find this course offers just what you need. You’ll pick up important practice tips and the latest developments. Break-out sessions make it easy for you to choose the topics that interest you the most."

Michael Connolly, Esq. will be presenting on Special Education 101: What Every Parent Should Know at Wyncote Academy's 2-day Spring Series of Parent Seminars! Click here for all the info! - Evening Parent Seminar Flyer 2016

PATTAN in King of Prussia recently held a program regarding Transition Planning - from school to adulthood. The program included some excellent materials which set out the perspectives of the Pennsylvania Department of Education on this issue, as well as checklists and materials which can be very useful for for parents when examining their children's transition activities.

Don't get wrapped up in social media: This is very easy to say, and quite frankly, I enjoy it, so I’m not encouraging people to give up their Facebook or Twitter accounts completely. But take what you see on the internet with a grain of salt. Particularly, this time of year, people are frequently posting about the joyous things they are doing - whether it be holiday parties, visits with family, friends and significant others, recipes, or simply statuses about their fortunate lives. Seeing all these cheerful posts and all these smiles flooding a person’s mini-feed can be a reminder to someone who is struggling that they are NOT feeling the same way that the rest of the world appears to be feeling. This is not jealousy, but social media can present a distorted image of how life really is for everyone else.

A handful of years ago, I ran into an old childhood friend at the supermarket during the holiday season. We started to briefly catch up with one another on what was going on in our lives. I distinctly remember him saying to me that he already “knew” my life had been wonderful since he had last seen me. And this was all according to Facebook. “I loved seeing you on TV all over the country cheerleading during March Madness. You have stayed in touch with many people and are always out and about doing fun things and you’re so lucky you got to go back to graduate school to pursue your passions.” I felt a little guilty because, little did he know, I had just come straight to the supermarket after an intensive outpatient therapy session where I was going for treatment for depression.

Talk About It: My grandfather has always been a source of great comfort – from visiting me in the hospital to simply discussing mental illness in a non-taboo way. I followed in his footsteps by going to Villanova University, having a love for sports, and always saying what is on my mind! While the issues he battled were different than mine, one thing he instilled in me was the importance of open communication. He inspired me to never stop talking (but to always listen to others, too!), because as long as we are open about our issues, the more we can relate to one another and start to heal.

Sometimes, just the thought of disclosing your pain to someone can cause your anxiety to rise. But believe it or not, people want to hear about it more than it may seem. And often times, you’ll find that many people can relate on some level. The more we talk, the more we can understand each other and not feel secluded from the rest of the world. I ended up keeping in touch with my old friend from the supermarket, and eventually, disclosed what had really been going on that holiday season. To my surprise, he had battled with similar issues. This was a comforting relief for both of us and encouraged me to speak up more about it.

You're not alone: Whether you’re battling with mental illness, a disease, friends/family issues, or anything else - remember that no one is perfect and no one has a perfect life. Everyone is dealing with something this holiday season. So just because everyone else seems upbeat and happy around you, doesn't mean that they are 100% feeling that way on the inside. A photograph captures the quickest moment in time and isn’t an accurate tool to measure one’s true feelings. So for all the smiles you may see on the internet during the holiday season, keep in mind that we are all human and we all struggle at times throughout our lives. Just because the term “Happy Holidays!” may not seem to apply to you at every moment throughout the day, that doesn’t mean there won’t be happy moments to come. The more we discuss with one another our personal battles, the more we are reminded that we are not alone – especially this holiday season.

Lauren O'Connell Mahler, Esq. of McAndrews Law will be a speaker at the National Business Institute’s IEP and 504 Plan Legal Workshop on December 8th, 2015 at the Courtyard Newark-University of Delaware.

Join Jacqueline Lembeck, Esq. and Lesley Mehalick, JD, LLM of McAndrews Law Offices, along with Maria Slavin, MS, OTR/L of In-Sync and Social, for discussions on developing appropriate IEPS, including related services/Occupational Therapy, as well as special needs trusts and how to financially plan for a loved one with a disability.

In-Sync and Social is an Occupational Therapy Private Practice specializing in sensory processing and social skills with locations in Newtown Square, West Chester and Rosemont, PA. For more information, visit them at

On November 11th, 2015, a Delaware blog called Exceptional Delaware, featured McAndrews Law Offices in a story about our new office that has opened in southern Delaware, as well as our advocacy work for children and upcoming free education clinics!

McAndrews Law Offices and the Child and Family Art Therapy Center are teaming up for a Conflict & Bullying Resolution event. Mike Fogel, founder of the Art of Friendship Social Skills Program and Camp Pegasus, will be presenting on Empowering Parents, Empowering Children: Coping Skills for Bullies, Teasers, and Difficult People and Jacqueline Lembeck, Esq. of MLO will be presenting on Bullying 101: Know Your Rights and How to Protect Your Child.

CASA of Philadelphia County (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) invites you to attend Bullying 101: Know Your Rights and How to Protect Your Child, a presentation by Jennifer Bradley, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices. This presentation explores how children with disabilities are often targets of bullying. It is important to know that the Pennsylvania legislature requires school districts to address bullying. Ms. Bradley will review current statistics, specific laws pertaining to children’s educational rights, and strategies to address the issue with the school.

On October 21st and 22nd, McAndrews Law Offices’ bilingual attorney, Tanya Alvarado, Esq., gave two presentations on “The IEP Process: What Families Should Know.” Both Services Access and Management, Inc. (SAM) and the Parent Involved Network’s (PIN) Bilingual Support Group hosted Ms. Alvarado to speak with parents, advocates and individuals on educational services available to children with intellectual and learning disabilities. Thank you to both SAM and PIN for inviting us to speak to two great audiences on these issues that all families should be aware of!

Heather Hulse, JD, MS, MA and Joseph McGettigan, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices were featured in this month's issue of PAJusticeNews. The two were recently asked by CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children in Luzerne County to speak on Bullying: 101 Know Your Rights and How to Protect Your Child" and "How to be a Leader in Preventing Child Abuse: The Jerry Sandusky Trial."

On October 16th, 2015, at the Baldwin School, Specialists of Schools and the Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists hosted a workshop on "Ethical Dilemmas of School Professionals Regarding Child Abuse".
Pictured: Allyson McAndrews, M.Ed., Joe McGettigan, Esq. and Tanya Alvarado, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices with speaker Dr. Linda Knauss.

This past Friday, October 9th was the Pennsylvania Branch of the International Dyslexia Association's 37th Conference on Literacy & Learning Disabilities where MLO hosted an exhibitors table and Heidi Konkler-Goldsmith, Esq. spoke on "Special Education: A Practical Overview for Families". Thank you to the PBIDA and Delaware Valley Friends School for hosting this event that continues to be instrumental in educating the public on dyslexia!

On Tuesday, September 29th, the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) of Luzerne County hosted Heather Hulse, JD, MS, MA and Joseph McGettigan, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices to speak on "Bullying 101: Know Your Rights and How to Protect Your Child" and "How to be a Leader in Preventing Child Abuse: The Jerry Sandusky Trial." Over 80 people came to Kings College to hear the two bring awareness to these important topics. The Times Leader published an article the following day, highlighting Ms. Hulse and Mr. McGettigan's key points. The article can be read by clicking here. They were also interviewed by 94.3 - The David Madeira Show and 103.1 - The Sue Henry Show.

Do you have questions about your child’s IEP and/or educational services? Come and learn about special education services and regulations that insure that your child MUST receive free, appropriate programs which are proven to be effective!

Children with disabilities are often subject to bullying & abuse. Many people are unaware that the Pennsylvania Legislature has adopted legislation requiring school districts to address bullying. Heather Hulse, JD, MS, MA will review current statistics, specific laws pertaining to children’s educational rights, & ways to address these issues with the school. Joseph McGettigan, Esq., the successful prosecutor in the trial of serial child sex abuser Jerry Sandusky, will lead the 2nd part of the night by taking the audience through the prosecution’s timeline. His discussion brings awareness to how child abuse can occur virtually anywhere & often times in institutional settings, such as schools or camps, while under the supervision & care of a professional adult.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children of Luzerne County

Mission: To advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children under the court’s jurisdiction

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Luzerne County (CASA) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that uses highly trained volunteers to become Advocates for abused and neglected children in Luzerene County. Advocates come in all ages and from all walks of life. They provide love, services, guidance, mentoring and representation in court. Advocartes are appointed by the judge with the authority of the court. Their mission is to report to the court the decisions necessary to make sure every individual child has the best chance to succeed in life.

The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PATTAN) is sponsoring the 2015 Pennsylvania Low Incidence Institute: High Expectations for Achievement 4-day conference beginning August 9th through August 13th in Hershey, PA. All topics encompass issues related to serving students and young children with deafness and hearing loss, blindness, deaf-blindness, visual impairment, intellectual disabilities, traumatic and brain injury, and multiple diseases.

On Tuesday, July 28th, Michael Connolly, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices, P.C. will be presenting on discipline issues for special education students for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute's (PBI) Snapshots of Special Education CLE.

"The Pennsylvania Branch, International Dyslexia Association (PBIDA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports individuals with dyslexia and related learning disorders, as well as their families, educators and other professionals in Pennsylvania and Delaware." - PBIDA.org

Please join McAndrews Law Offices and The Clery Center for Security on Campus for a premiere screening of "The Hunting Ground" next Thursday, April 23rd, at 6pm at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute! This documentary is directed by the Oscar-nominee director, Kirby Dick, and explores rape crimes on college campuses across the U.S., including the measures that institutions have taken to cover up such crimes. Brief speeches will be made at the event by Congressman Patrick Meehan, Dennis McAndrews Esq., Joseph McGettigan, Esq. and more.

Come to this free IEP Clinic to learn about your child's educational rights and have the opportunity to sit down with a special education attorney from McAndrews Law Offices to review your child's IEP/relevant paperwork.

When: Thursday, May 7th, 2015

Time: 10:00am to 2:00pm

Where: Exeter Community Library, 4565 Prestwick Dr, Reading, PA 19606

Presented by Jennifer Bradley, Esq. of McAndrews Law Offices

In conjunction with SPELL and Community Prevention Partnership

For questions or to RSVP, contact Millie Acosta, McAndrews Law Offices, P.C., at 610-648-9300 or macosta@mcandrewslaw.com

McANDREWS LAW OFFICES, P.C. has speakers available for your organization. We provide dozens of FREE seminars and presentations each year to relevant organizations in the field of Special Education, Estate Planning and Special Needs Trusts.

Our attorneys regularly speak at national, state and local organizations such as parent groups, Bar Associations, community organizations, advocacy groups, and similar organizations. These presentations are provided at no cost, are educational in nature and no marketing of our services is presented. Seminar Topics include:

Special Education

The Development of Special Education Over the Past Twenty Years — A Radical Evolution in the System

Discipline and Behavior Programming in the Context of Special Education

Disciplining the Special Education Student

Eligibility Under IDEA and Section 504

Educating Special Education Children in the Least Restrictive Environment

The Effect of Pennsylvania’s 2008 Regulations on Special Education in the Commonwealth

Legally Sufficient IEPs

Restraints in Schools

Special Education — An Overview for Families

Special Education — An Overview for Mental Health and Juvenile Court Professionals

Special Education — An Overview for Nurses

Special Education — An Overview for Physicians

Special Education — What Parents Really Need to Know

Special Education and Special Needs Trusts for the Non-Specialist Attorney

Estate Planning

Estate Planning for Families — Large, Medium and Small Estates

Estate Planning for the Business Owner

Probate and Estate Administration — Simplifying the Process

Recent Changes in Estates and Trusts

Special Needs Trusts — A Practical Overview for Families

Special Needs Trusts — A Practical Overview for the Financial Planning Industry

Attorney Advertising. This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.